Reid takes leave of absence over family issues

Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid will leave the team for a month to deal with developments that have rocked his family the last two weeks -- one son tested positive for heroin, another was arraigned on drug and weapons charges.

The team said the leave would last until mid-March.

“He’s not going to come into the office. His priorities will be his family for that period of time, but he will be available to have a couple of calls with us and collaborate and if he needed to be here for a visit of a free agent,” Eagles President Joe Banner said Monday in Philadelphia. “He will retain final say over whatever we do.”

Reid, also the team’s head of football operations, will miss the NFL scouting combine and the start of free agency. Teams may begin voluntary off-season workouts March 19. Reid plans to attend the NFL owners’ meetings in late March, and will be back for the NFL draft April 28-29.

The Eagles have 11 unrestricted free agents, notably backup quarterback Jeff Garcia.

Garrett Reid, 23, tested positive for heroin after he caused a traffic accident Jan. 30, police said. No charges have been filed. Police have said he could be charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.

Britt Reid, 21, was arraigned on drug and weapons charges. He was accused of pointing a handgun at another driver after a dispute and faces a felony charge of carrying a firearm without a license as well as misdemeanor charges of lying to authorities, simple assault, making terroristic threats and possession of a controlled substance.

The New York Giants released linebacker LaVar Arrington and two other starters in the first major shake-up under new General Manager Jerry Reese.

New York also cut linebacker Carlos Emmons, 33, and offensive tackle Luke Petitgout, 30, both of whom were slowed by injuries over the last two seasons.

Mike Reinfeldt, Seattle’s vice president of football operations, was hired as general manager of the Tennessee Titans, a franchise for which he once played.

He replaces Floyd Reese, who resigned on Jan. 5.

NBC is scheduled to announce today that it has hired former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber in a dual role of journalist and NFL analyst.

Barber, who retired last month, was expected to join the network’s “Football Night in America” studio show that precedes “Sunday Night Football.” He also will have a reporting role on the “Today” show.

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-- Larry Stewart

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

NCAA: Oklahoma failed

to monitor employment

The NCAA alleges that Oklahoma failed to adequately monitor the employment of several athletes, including some football players who worked during the academic year.

The NCAA’s findings came in an investigation after Oklahoma self-reported violations and dismissed starting quarterback Rhett Bomar and offensive lineman J.D. Quinn in August for taking excess pay from a Norman car dealership where they worked.

Oklahoma disclosed that it had received its notice of allegations from the NCAA and was scheduled to appear before the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions on April 14 in Indianapolis.

Nebraska sophomore running back Marlon Lucky was hospitalized for undisclosed reasons after Lincoln police responded to a call at his home about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, the athletic department said.

The athletic department said there would be no further comment from the department or Lucky’s family.

Lucky, a North Hollywood High product, was Nebraska’s second-leading rusher last season with 728 yards.

BASEBALL

Braves reportedly

sold to Liberty Media

Time Warner Inc. reached a deal to sell the Atlanta Braves to Liberty Media Corp. after more than a year of negotiations, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The deal, which must be approved by Major League Baseball, would involve Time Warner transferring the Braves, a group of craft magazines and $1 billion in cash to Liberty in exchange for about 60 million shares of Time Warner, the Journal reported.

Based on the closing price of Time Warner’s stock Monday, the market value of those shares would be about $1.27 billion.

Time Warner acquired the Braves when it bought Turner Broadcasting Systems from Ted Turner in the mid-1990s.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kris Benson, 32, has a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder and will probably miss the season, his agent said.

Baltimore quickly replaced him, agreeing with free-agent right-hander Steve Trachsel, 36, on a $3.1-million, one-year deal.

Right-hander Matt Herges, 37, agreed to a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.... Infielder Eduardo Perez, 37, agreed to a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.

TENNIS

Nadal withdraws

from tournament

Second-ranked Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Open 13 tournament in Marseille, France, because of a thigh injury that prevented him from playing in the Davis Cup last weekend.

Meanwhile, Mikhail Youzhny rallied from 4-1 down in the third set to oust fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (0).

Potito Starace beat fifth-seeded Gaston Gaudio, 6-4, 6-3, in the first round of the Brazil Open in Costa Do Sauipe.

SOCCER

Twellman re-signs

with the Revolution

New England Revolution forward Taylor Twellman, 26, a two-time scoring champion and former Major League Soccer most valuable player, signed a four-year deal with the team.

Germany’s soccer federation and police officials warned clubs of increased security measures to handle fan violence, including the possibility of playing in empty stadiums as in Italy.

MISCELLANY

Pound criticizes

IOC reprimand

Dick Pound, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, said the International Olympic Committee was wrong to reprimand him for criticizing Lance Armstrong last year.

The IOC chastised Pound last week for comments about the seven-time Tour de France winner, suggesting he should be “a bit careful” with his words.

Steve Conway of San Clemente, a former UCLA standout, fired a six-under-par 66 at Industry Hills Golf Club’s Eisenhower Course and won the qualifying event for the Nissan Open.

Joining Conway as qualifiers for the PGA Tour event that begins Thursday at Riviera Country Club are Matt Hendrix (67), Alex Cejka (67) and Michael Allen, who shot 68 in regulation and won a four-way, six-hole playoff for the final spot.

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-- Peter Yoon

Police dragged a protester off the stage and officers tackled a woman with a bandanna over her face during a ceremony marking the three-year countdown to the Feb. 12, 2010, Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.